Dodgers

Josh Beckett Throws 1st Dodgers No-Hitter Since 1996

Starting pitcher Josh Beckett #61 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch in the first inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 25, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (credit: Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

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PHILADELPHIA (CBSLA.com) — Josh Beckett, who missed all but a handful of games in 2013, and who was a question-mark for a spot in the rotation this season, has thrown the 24th no-hitter in Dodgers history.

Beckett struck out six and walked three batters to become the first Dodger to throw a no-hitter since Hideo Nomo no-hit the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in 1996, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0 on Sunday.

Beckett had come into the ball game allowing two or fewer runs through five of his eight starts this season, raking 16th in ERA (2.89) among National League pitchers with 40.0 or more innings pitched.

Dee Gordon told reporters after the game that Beckett was joking around with the infielders throughout the later innings, taking a notable edge off the team.

“I was joking about it because I was waiting for them to get a hit,” Beckett told reporters after the game. “You don’t think at this point of your career that you’re going to do that. I just don’t feel that my stuff is good enough to do that. I’m probably as hard on myself as anybody.”

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In 2013, Beckett missed the majority of the season with a nerve condition that left him without feeling in the tips of his fingers — a condition that was considered possibly career-ending.

“That was a lot of fun,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters. “He’s been throwing well all year, and his breaking ball and change keep getting better.”